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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 130 (from laksa027)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa130.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.uu.edu/blog/2024/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.uu.edu/blog/2024/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/2024\/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget\/","crawl_time":1770612052,"first_indexed_time":0,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"edu,uu!www,\/blog\/2024\/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget\/ s443","src_root_hash":"8424587920296137130","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget | Blog | Union University, a Christian College in Tennessee","meta_descriptions":["5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget - a blog from Union University"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget\nA post by\nIf you want to take control of your finances, the personal budget is the place to begin. So much of the magic in personal finance will happen in your budget. However, if you fail to budget properly, you will struggle to reach your financial goals and achieve financial peace.\nThankfully, budgeting is about consistency and discipline instead of complex math, so anyone can do it if they have the willpower.\nHere are five tips to get started:\n1. Track your spending for a while.\nWrite down every single amount of money you spend and where you spend it, even if it's at a vending machine. At the end of the month, look back and see what you've learned about yourself. You might be surprised to learn that your coffee habit is costing you $50 a month or that your subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. add up to such a large amount. Knowing yourself and being honest about what needs to change is the first step to a successful budget.\n2. Keep budgeting simple and use a zero-based budget.\nYou don't need an app or advanced statistical tools: simply use a piece of paper or an Excel spreadsheet to plan one month at a time. Record your take-home pay and then list out all expected expenses for the next month. Then \"spend\" every single dollar of your income on paper, all the way down to zero. Allocate a portion of your income to each of your expected expenses. This is your monthly game plan, and you should commit to live by your plan.\n3. Chase consistency, not perfection.\nWhen you first start budgeting, you'll inevitably get it \"wrong.\" You won't have enough money budgeted in the \"grocery\" category, or you'll have an unexpected expense, so you might have to adjust somewhere else in your budget to cover it. That's OK! The goal is to make incremental adjustments so that you get in tune with how much money you have to spend, and then live below your means. When you consistently live below your means and can save, budgeting becomes a supercharged tool for achieving so many other financial goals.\n4. Use your budget to achieve short-term and long-term financial goals.\nFor example, if you have a short-term goal of going on a mission trip, use a sinking fund to save some money each month toward the overall cost of the trip. Other short-term goals include building your emergency fund (three-to-six months of living expenses), paying off debt or saving for the down payment on a home. Work to find extra money within your budget so that you can tackle these goals. You might be willing to go to restaurants less or pick up a side hustle to make your dreams a reality. Also ensure that you're remembering the important long-term goal of saving for retirement. Save at least 10-15 percent of your income in a tax-advantaged investment account towards retirement. Inevitably, when you begin to carefully watch your money, it multiplies.\n5. Don't forget that your budget reflects your priorities.\nI often ask my students, \"If someone saw where you spent your money last month, would it reflect your faith?\" As Christians, giving should be our first priority and a significant line item in our budgets. Also, make sure to involve the whole family in the process. Money is a major cause of divorce, but involving your spouse in the budget process can strengthen your marriage. You should budget using the income of both spouses and each spouse should work with the other to create the monthly plan. Even your children can play a part in the budget. If they work part-time or if you give them an allowance, teach them to give a portion, save a portion towards future goal and spend a portion wisely.\nMORE INFO\nFor additional advice on planning a family budget, check out some advice from\nDave Ramsey\nand\nNerdwallet\n.\nDID YOU KNOW?\nUnion University's\nMcAfee School of Business\nprepares students for today's dynamic global business environment, with strong, innovative programs that help them to lead and succeed. The business education at Union is provided within a context of Christian faith, ethics and character.\nPosted:\nAug. 5, 2024","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/2024\/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget\/#maincontent)\n\n[![Union University](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/images\/2015\/uu_icon-35.png)](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/)\n\n- [Academics](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/)\n  - [Programs of Study](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/programs-of-study\/)\n  - [Meet Our Faculty](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/faculty\/)\n  - [Academic Resources](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/resources\/)\n  - [Graduate Studies](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/graduate\/)\n  - [Adult Studies](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/adultstudies\/)\n  - [Online Programs](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/online\/)\n  - [MCUTS Adult Programs](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/mcuts\/)\n  \n  - [Adult & Professional Studies](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/soaps\/)\n  - [Arts & Sciences](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/colleges\/arts-sciences\/)\n  - [Business](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/business\/)\n  - [Education](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/colleges\/education\/)\n  - [Nursing & Health Sciences](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/colleges\/nursing-health-sciences\/)\n  - [Pharmacy](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/pharmacy\/)\n  - [Social Work](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/socialwork\/)\n  - [Theology & Missions](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/stm\/)\n  \n  In our close-knit learning community, top-tier academics and Christian faith are integrated in 100 programs of study.\n  \n  [Explore Our Programs](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/programs-of-study\/) [![Music Composition activity](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/images\/2015\/areas\/area_70.jpg)](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/dept\/music\/academics\/composition\/) [**Learn more about Music Composition »**](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/dept\/music\/academics\/composition\/)\n  \n  [Meet Our Faculty](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/faculty\/) [![Colene Trent](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/employee\/images\/faculty-ctrent-400.jpg)](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/employee\/feature.cfm?emp=ctrent) [**Meet Colene Trent, Associate Professor of Economics »**](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/employee\/feature.cfm?emp=ctrent)\n- [Admissions](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/admissions\/)\n  - [Undergraduate](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/admissions\/undergraduate\/)\n  - [Graduate & Adult Studies](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/admissions\/graduate-adult\/)\n  - [Online](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/online\/)\n  - [Apply For Undergraduate Admission](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/applications\/undergrad\/)\n  - [Campus Visits](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/admissions\/undergraduate\/campus-visits\/)\n  \n  - [Why Union?](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/admissions\/why-union\/)\n  - [Outcomes](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/admissions\/outcomes\/)\n  - [Tuition](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/admissions\/undergraduate\/financial\/)\n  - [Financial Aid](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/financialaid\/)\n  - [Scholarships](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/financialaid\/scholarships\/)\n  \n  Union is nationally recognized for Christ-centered academic excellence and exceptional value. 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[Home](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/)\n2. [Union Now](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/now\/)\n3. [Blog](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/)\n4. [2024](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/2024\/)\n5. 5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget\n\n## 5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget\n*A post by  [Colene Trent](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/employee\/profile.cfm?emp=ctrent), Professor of economics, Union University*\n\n![Colene Trent](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/2024\/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget\/header.jpg)\n\nIf you want to take control of your finances, the personal budget is the place to begin. So much of the magic in personal finance will happen in your budget. However, if you fail to budget properly, you will struggle to reach your financial goals and achieve financial peace.\n\nThankfully, budgeting is about consistency and discipline instead of complex math, so anyone can do it if they have the willpower.\n\nHere are five tips to get started:\n\n### 1\\. Track your spending for a while.\nWrite down every single amount of money you spend and where you spend it, even if it's at a vending machine. At the end of the month, look back and see what you've learned about yourself. You might be surprised to learn that your coffee habit is costing you \\$50 a month or that your subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. add up to such a large amount. Knowing yourself and being honest about what needs to change is the first step to a successful budget.\n\n### 2\\. Keep budgeting simple and use a zero-based budget.\nYou don't need an app or advanced statistical tools: simply use a piece of paper or an Excel spreadsheet to plan one month at a time. Record your take-home pay and then list out all expected expenses for the next month. Then \"spend\" every single dollar of your income on paper, all the way down to zero. Allocate a portion of your income to each of your expected expenses. This is your monthly game plan, and you should commit to live by your plan.\n\n### 3\\. Chase consistency, not perfection.\nWhen you first start budgeting, you'll inevitably get it \"wrong.\" You won't have enough money budgeted in the \"grocery\" category, or you'll have an unexpected expense, so you might have to adjust somewhere else in your budget to cover it. That's OK! The goal is to make incremental adjustments so that you get in tune with how much money you have to spend, and then live below your means. When you consistently live below your means and can save, budgeting becomes a supercharged tool for achieving so many other financial goals.\n\n### 4\\. Use your budget to achieve short-term and long-term financial goals.\nFor example, if you have a short-term goal of going on a mission trip, use a sinking fund to save some money each month toward the overall cost of the trip. Other short-term goals include building your emergency fund (three-to-six months of living expenses), paying off debt or saving for the down payment on a home. Work to find extra money within your budget so that you can tackle these goals. You might be willing to go to restaurants less or pick up a side hustle to make your dreams a reality. Also ensure that you're remembering the important long-term goal of saving for retirement. Save at least 10-15 percent of your income in a tax-advantaged investment account towards retirement. Inevitably, when you begin to carefully watch your money, it multiplies.\n\n### 5\\. Don't forget that your budget reflects your priorities.\nI often ask my students, \"If someone saw where you spent your money last month, would it reflect your faith?\" As Christians, giving should be our first priority and a significant line item in our budgets. Also, make sure to involve the whole family in the process. Money is a major cause of divorce, but involving your spouse in the budget process can strengthen your marriage. You should budget using the income of both spouses and each spouse should work with the other to create the monthly plan. Even your children can play a part in the budget. If they work part-time or if you give them an allowance, teach them to give a portion, save a portion towards future goal and spend a portion wisely.\n\n### MORE INFO\nFor additional advice on planning a family budget, check out some advice from [Dave Ramsey](https:\/\/www.ramseysolutions.com\/budgeting\/how-to-create-a-family-budget) and [Nerdwallet](https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/finance\/how-to-create-a-family-budget).\n\n### DID YOU KNOW?\nUnion University's [McAfee School of Business](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/business\/) prepares students for today's dynamic global business environment, with strong, innovative programs that help them to lead and succeed. The business education at Union is provided within a context of Christian faith, ethics and character.\n***\nPosted: *Aug. 5, 2024*\n\n- Union University Blog\n- [Recent Posts](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/)\n- **Archives:** [2022](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/2022\/); [2021](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/2021\/); [2020](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/2020\/)\n\n[![RSS](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/socialmedia\/2015\/news-128-color.png)](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/rss.xml)\n***\n- Related Material\n- [McAfee School of Business](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/business\/)\n- [Union's Accounting Program](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/business\/undergraduate\/accounting\/)\n- [Union's Economics Program](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/business\/undergraduate\/economics\/)\n\n### About Union University\n[Union University](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/) is a vibrant, Christ-centered community known for its excellent academics, its commitment to the authority of Scripture, and the success of its graduates. At Union University, you will be transformed by the renewing of your mind and be prepared to thrive in your life and career. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, Union is the oldest private institution affiliated with Southern Baptist life. Union also has extension campuses in Memphis, Germantown, and Hendersonville, Tennessee, as well as many online programs.\n\n**Our Mission:** Union University provides Christ-centered education that promotes excellence and character development in service to Church and society.\n\n[Explore Our Programs](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/academics\/programs-of-study\/) [Apply Now]()\n\n[Excellence-Driven](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/about\/excellence-driven.cfm) [Christ-Centered](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/about\/christ-centered.cfm) [People-Focused](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/about\/people-focused.cfm) [Future-Directed](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/about\/future-directed.cfm)\n\n[![Union University](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/images\/UU_Crest_Horizontal_Color_Rev-250.png)](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/)\n\n[Employee Directory](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/employee\/ \"faculty and staff contact information\")  \n [Employment](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/humanresources\/ \"jobs at Union\")  \n [Giving to Union](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/advancement\/giving\/ \"giving options\")  \n [Athletics](https:\/\/uuathletics.com\/ \"follow our athletic teams\")  \n [Bookstore](https:\/\/bookstore.uu.edu\/ \"Union bookstore\")  \n [UUAlerts](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/uualerts\/ \"emergency text messaging alerts\")  \n [IT Services](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/it\/ \"services offered by information technology\")  \n [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/contact-us.cfm \"find out how to contact us\")  \n [Site Map](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/site-map.cfm \"global view of our site\")  \n [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/about\/privacy\/ \"statement about how we use your data\")\n\n[**Main Campus**](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/jackson\/)  \n [1050 Union University Drive  Jackson, TN 38305](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/jackson\/map\/)  \n [731-668-1818](tel:+1-731-668-1818)\n\n[**Hendersonville \/ Nashville Campus**](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/hendersonville\/)  \n [205 Indian Lake Blvd.  Hendersonville, TN 37075](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/hendersonville\/map\/)  \n [615-447-2500](tel:+1-615-447-2500)\n\n[**Germantown \/ Memphis Campus**](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/germantown\/)  \n [2745 Hacks Cross Road  Germantown, TN 38138](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/germantown\/map\/)  \n [901-759-0029](tel:+1-901-759-0029)\n\n[Close]()\n\n![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=339435332933584&ev=PageView%0A&noscript=1)","attrs_readable_markdown":"## 5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget\n*A post by*\n\n![Colene Trent](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/blog\/2024\/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget\/header.jpg)\n\nIf you want to take control of your finances, the personal budget is the place to begin. So much of the magic in personal finance will happen in your budget. However, if you fail to budget properly, you will struggle to reach your financial goals and achieve financial peace.\n\nThankfully, budgeting is about consistency and discipline instead of complex math, so anyone can do it if they have the willpower.\n\nHere are five tips to get started:\n\n### 1\\. Track your spending for a while.\nWrite down every single amount of money you spend and where you spend it, even if it's at a vending machine. At the end of the month, look back and see what you've learned about yourself. You might be surprised to learn that your coffee habit is costing you \\$50 a month or that your subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. add up to such a large amount. Knowing yourself and being honest about what needs to change is the first step to a successful budget.\n\n### 2\\. Keep budgeting simple and use a zero-based budget.\nYou don't need an app or advanced statistical tools: simply use a piece of paper or an Excel spreadsheet to plan one month at a time. Record your take-home pay and then list out all expected expenses for the next month. Then \"spend\" every single dollar of your income on paper, all the way down to zero. Allocate a portion of your income to each of your expected expenses. This is your monthly game plan, and you should commit to live by your plan.\n\n### 3\\. Chase consistency, not perfection.\nWhen you first start budgeting, you'll inevitably get it \"wrong.\" You won't have enough money budgeted in the \"grocery\" category, or you'll have an unexpected expense, so you might have to adjust somewhere else in your budget to cover it. That's OK! The goal is to make incremental adjustments so that you get in tune with how much money you have to spend, and then live below your means. When you consistently live below your means and can save, budgeting becomes a supercharged tool for achieving so many other financial goals.\n\n### 4\\. Use your budget to achieve short-term and long-term financial goals.\nFor example, if you have a short-term goal of going on a mission trip, use a sinking fund to save some money each month toward the overall cost of the trip. Other short-term goals include building your emergency fund (three-to-six months of living expenses), paying off debt or saving for the down payment on a home. Work to find extra money within your budget so that you can tackle these goals. You might be willing to go to restaurants less or pick up a side hustle to make your dreams a reality. Also ensure that you're remembering the important long-term goal of saving for retirement. Save at least 10-15 percent of your income in a tax-advantaged investment account towards retirement. Inevitably, when you begin to carefully watch your money, it multiplies.\n\n### 5\\. Don't forget that your budget reflects your priorities.\nI often ask my students, \"If someone saw where you spent your money last month, would it reflect your faith?\" As Christians, giving should be our first priority and a significant line item in our budgets. Also, make sure to involve the whole family in the process. Money is a major cause of divorce, but involving your spouse in the budget process can strengthen your marriage. You should budget using the income of both spouses and each spouse should work with the other to create the monthly plan. Even your children can play a part in the budget. If they work part-time or if you give them an allowance, teach them to give a portion, save a portion towards future goal and spend a portion wisely.\n\n### MORE INFO\nFor additional advice on planning a family budget, check out some advice from [Dave Ramsey](https:\/\/www.ramseysolutions.com\/budgeting\/how-to-create-a-family-budget) and [Nerdwallet](https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/finance\/how-to-create-a-family-budget).\n\n### DID YOU KNOW?\nUnion University's [McAfee School of Business](https:\/\/www.uu.edu\/programs\/business\/) prepares students for today's dynamic global business environment, with strong, innovative programs that help them to lead and succeed. The business education at Union is provided within a context of Christian faith, ethics and character.\n***\nPosted: *Aug. 5, 2024*","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget A post by If you want to take control of your finances, the personal budget is the place to begin. So much of the magic in personal finance will happen in your budget. However, if you fail to budget properly, you will struggle to reach your financial goals and achieve financial peace. Thankfully, budgeting is about consistency and discipline instead of complex math, so anyone can do it if they have the willpower. Here are five tips to get started: 1. Track your spending for a while. Write down every single amount of money you spend and where you spend it, even if it's at a vending machine. At the end of the month, look back and see what you've learned about yourself. You might be surprised to learn that your coffee habit is costing you $50 a month or that your subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. add up to such a large amount. Knowing yourself and being honest about what needs to change is the first step to a successful budget. 2. Keep budgeting simple and use a zero-based budget. You don't need an app or advanced statistical tools: simply use a piece of paper or an Excel spreadsheet to plan one month at a time. Record your take-home pay and then list out all expected expenses for the next month. Then "spend" every single dollar of your income on paper, all the way down to zero. Allocate a portion of your income to each of your expected expenses. This is your monthly game plan, and you should commit to live by your plan. 3. Chase consistency, not perfection. When you first start budgeting, you'll inevitably get it "wrong." You won't have enough money budgeted in the "grocery" category, or you'll have an unexpected expense, so you might have to adjust somewhere else in your budget to cover it. That's OK! The goal is to make incremental adjustments so that you get in tune with how much money you have to spend, and then live below your means. When you consistently live below your means and can save, budgeting becomes a supercharged tool for achieving so many other financial goals. 4. Use your budget to achieve short-term and long-term financial goals. For example, if you have a short-term goal of going on a mission trip, use a sinking fund to save some money each month toward the overall cost of the trip. Other short-term goals include building your emergency fund (three-to-six months of living expenses), paying off debt or saving for the down payment on a home. Work to find extra money within your budget so that you can tackle these goals. You might be willing to go to restaurants less or pick up a side hustle to make your dreams a reality. Also ensure that you're remembering the important long-term goal of saving for retirement. Save at least 10-15 percent of your income in a tax-advantaged investment account towards retirement. Inevitably, when you begin to carefully watch your money, it multiplies. 5. Don't forget that your budget reflects your priorities. I often ask my students, "If someone saw where you spent your money last month, would it reflect your faith?" As Christians, giving should be our first priority and a significant line item in our budgets. Also, make sure to involve the whole family in the process. Money is a major cause of divorce, but involving your spouse in the budget process can strengthen your marriage. You should budget using the income of both spouses and each spouse should work with the other to create the monthly plan. Even your children can play a part in the budget. If they work part-time or if you give them an allowance, teach them to give a portion, save a portion towards future goal and spend a portion wisely. MORE INFO For additional advice on planning a family budget, check out some advice from Dave Ramsey and Nerdwallet . DID YOU KNOW? Union University's McAfee School of Business prepares students for today's dynamic global business environment, with strong, innovative programs that help them to lead and succeed. The business education at Union is provided within a context of Christian faith, ethics and character. Posted: Aug. 5, 2024
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[Home](https://www.uu.edu/) 2. [Union Now](https://www.uu.edu/now/) 3. [Blog](https://www.uu.edu/blog/) 4. [2024](https://www.uu.edu/blog/2024/) 5. 5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget ## 5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget A post by [Colene Trent](https://www.uu.edu/employee/profile.cfm?emp=ctrent), Professor of economics, Union University ![Colene Trent](https://www.uu.edu/blog/2024/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget/header.jpg) If you want to take control of your finances, the personal budget is the place to begin. So much of the magic in personal finance will happen in your budget. However, if you fail to budget properly, you will struggle to reach your financial goals and achieve financial peace. Thankfully, budgeting is about consistency and discipline instead of complex math, so anyone can do it if they have the willpower. Here are five tips to get started: ### 1\. Track your spending for a while. Write down every single amount of money you spend and where you spend it, even if it's at a vending machine. At the end of the month, look back and see what you've learned about yourself. You might be surprised to learn that your coffee habit is costing you \$50 a month or that your subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. add up to such a large amount. Knowing yourself and being honest about what needs to change is the first step to a successful budget. ### 2\. Keep budgeting simple and use a zero-based budget. You don't need an app or advanced statistical tools: simply use a piece of paper or an Excel spreadsheet to plan one month at a time. Record your take-home pay and then list out all expected expenses for the next month. Then "spend" every single dollar of your income on paper, all the way down to zero. Allocate a portion of your income to each of your expected expenses. This is your monthly game plan, and you should commit to live by your plan. ### 3\. Chase consistency, not perfection. When you first start budgeting, you'll inevitably get it "wrong." You won't have enough money budgeted in the "grocery" category, or you'll have an unexpected expense, so you might have to adjust somewhere else in your budget to cover it. That's OK! The goal is to make incremental adjustments so that you get in tune with how much money you have to spend, and then live below your means. When you consistently live below your means and can save, budgeting becomes a supercharged tool for achieving so many other financial goals. ### 4\. Use your budget to achieve short-term and long-term financial goals. For example, if you have a short-term goal of going on a mission trip, use a sinking fund to save some money each month toward the overall cost of the trip. Other short-term goals include building your emergency fund (three-to-six months of living expenses), paying off debt or saving for the down payment on a home. Work to find extra money within your budget so that you can tackle these goals. You might be willing to go to restaurants less or pick up a side hustle to make your dreams a reality. Also ensure that you're remembering the important long-term goal of saving for retirement. Save at least 10-15 percent of your income in a tax-advantaged investment account towards retirement. Inevitably, when you begin to carefully watch your money, it multiplies. ### 5\. Don't forget that your budget reflects your priorities. I often ask my students, "If someone saw where you spent your money last month, would it reflect your faith?" As Christians, giving should be our first priority and a significant line item in our budgets. Also, make sure to involve the whole family in the process. Money is a major cause of divorce, but involving your spouse in the budget process can strengthen your marriage. You should budget using the income of both spouses and each spouse should work with the other to create the monthly plan. Even your children can play a part in the budget. If they work part-time or if you give them an allowance, teach them to give a portion, save a portion towards future goal and spend a portion wisely. ### MORE INFO For additional advice on planning a family budget, check out some advice from [Dave Ramsey](https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/how-to-create-a-family-budget) and [Nerdwallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-create-a-family-budget). ### DID YOU KNOW? Union University's [McAfee School of Business](https://www.uu.edu/programs/business/) prepares students for today's dynamic global business environment, with strong, innovative programs that help them to lead and succeed. The business education at Union is provided within a context of Christian faith, ethics and character. *** Posted: Aug. 5, 2024 - Union University Blog - [Recent Posts](https://www.uu.edu/blog/) - Archives: [2022](https://www.uu.edu/blog/2022/); [2021](https://www.uu.edu/blog/2021/); [2020](https://www.uu.edu/blog/2020/) [![RSS](https://www.uu.edu/socialmedia/2015/news-128-color.png)](https://www.uu.edu/blog/rss.xml) * - Related Material - [McAfee School of Business](https://www.uu.edu/programs/business/) - [Union's Accounting Program](https://www.uu.edu/programs/business/undergraduate/accounting/) - [Union's Economics Program](https://www.uu.edu/programs/business/undergraduate/economics/) ### About Union University [Union University](https://www.uu.edu/) is a vibrant, Christ-centered community known for its excellent academics, its commitment to the authority of Scripture, and the success of its graduates. At Union University, you will be transformed by the renewing of your mind and be prepared to thrive in your life and career. Located in Jackson, Tennessee, Union is the oldest private institution affiliated with Southern Baptist life. Union also has extension campuses in Memphis, Germantown, and Hendersonville, Tennessee, as well as many online programs. Our Mission: Union University provides Christ-centered education that promotes excellence and character development in service to Church and society. 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Readable Markdown	## 5 Tips for Planning a Family Budget A post by ![Colene Trent](https://www.uu.edu/blog/2024/5-tips-for-planning-a-family-budget/header.jpg) If you want to take control of your finances, the personal budget is the place to begin. So much of the magic in personal finance will happen in your budget. However, if you fail to budget properly, you will struggle to reach your financial goals and achieve financial peace. Thankfully, budgeting is about consistency and discipline instead of complex math, so anyone can do it if they have the willpower. Here are five tips to get started: ### 1\. Track your spending for a while. Write down every single amount of money you spend and where you spend it, even if it's at a vending machine. At the end of the month, look back and see what you've learned about yourself. You might be surprised to learn that your coffee habit is costing you \$50 a month or that your subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. add up to such a large amount. Knowing yourself and being honest about what needs to change is the first step to a successful budget. ### 2\. Keep budgeting simple and use a zero-based budget. You don't need an app or advanced statistical tools: simply use a piece of paper or an Excel spreadsheet to plan one month at a time. Record your take-home pay and then list out all expected expenses for the next month. Then "spend" every single dollar of your income on paper, all the way down to zero. Allocate a portion of your income to each of your expected expenses. This is your monthly game plan, and you should commit to live by your plan. ### 3\. Chase consistency, not perfection. When you first start budgeting, you'll inevitably get it "wrong." You won't have enough money budgeted in the "grocery" category, or you'll have an unexpected expense, so you might have to adjust somewhere else in your budget to cover it. That's OK! The goal is to make incremental adjustments so that you get in tune with how much money you have to spend, and then live below your means. When you consistently live below your means and can save, budgeting becomes a supercharged tool for achieving so many other financial goals. ### 4\. Use your budget to achieve short-term and long-term financial goals. For example, if you have a short-term goal of going on a mission trip, use a sinking fund to save some money each month toward the overall cost of the trip. Other short-term goals include building your emergency fund (three-to-six months of living expenses), paying off debt or saving for the down payment on a home. Work to find extra money within your budget so that you can tackle these goals. You might be willing to go to restaurants less or pick up a side hustle to make your dreams a reality. Also ensure that you're remembering the important long-term goal of saving for retirement. Save at least 10-15 percent of your income in a tax-advantaged investment account towards retirement. Inevitably, when you begin to carefully watch your money, it multiplies. ### 5\. Don't forget that your budget reflects your priorities. I often ask my students, "If someone saw where you spent your money last month, would it reflect your faith?" As Christians, giving should be our first priority and a significant line item in our budgets. Also, make sure to involve the whole family in the process. Money is a major cause of divorce, but involving your spouse in the budget process can strengthen your marriage. You should budget using the income of both spouses and each spouse should work with the other to create the monthly plan. Even your children can play a part in the budget. If they work part-time or if you give them an allowance, teach them to give a portion, save a portion towards future goal and spend a portion wisely. ### MORE INFO For additional advice on planning a family budget, check out some advice from [Dave Ramsey](https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/how-to-create-a-family-budget) and [Nerdwallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-create-a-family-budget). ### DID YOU KNOW? Union University's [McAfee School of Business](https://www.uu.edu/programs/business/) prepares students for today's dynamic global business environment, with strong, innovative programs that help them to lead and succeed. The business education at Union is provided within a context of Christian faith, ethics and character. *** Posted: Aug. 5, 2024
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